"Sect Master, how do you keep finding these monstrous geniuses? Don't tell me you've opened your Heavenly Eye or something?"
In the forest, Yang Jueding couldn't help but look back at Li Qingqiu after receiving a punch from Zhao Zhen. His right palm tingled with heat and numbness—an absurd sensation.
That kid was only five years old!
How could that make sense?
At five, he hadn't even learned to read, yet this boy already possessed internal strength.
Yang Jueding stared at his palm in disbelief, then turned toward Zhao Zhen, who was panting heavily, and his expression shifted from shock to deep anticipation.
Qingxiao Sect's future was secured.
In his eyes, the next generation of the sect had already surpassed their elders in potential. In another twenty years, how powerful would Qingxiao Sect become?
Five-year-old Zhao Zhen braced his small hands against his knees. Though it wasn't his first time sparring seriously, the Great Sun Pure Yang Art had greatly boosted his confidence. Yet even so, he hadn't managed to shake his opponent in the slightest.
He realized Yang Jueding was far stronger than the Heaven-Guardian Division's elite warriors.
'Coming to Qingxiao Sect was the right choice,' Zhao Zhen thought, breathing hard.
Li Qingqiu chuckled. "You figured it out, huh? Elder Yang, that's why you can rest easy staying in Qingxiao Sect. As long as we keep recruiting new disciples, I'll always find geniuses for you to train. You just focus on being our Martial Transmission Elder. I'll send you talent after talent—like Zhen'er here. He'll be coming to you often for lessons, so don't you dare hold anything back."
Yang Jueding nodded with a wry smile. "At this rate, he won't need more than a few years to learn everything I know. His internal energy is extraordinary—stronger than any I've practiced before. There's something familiar about it, too, though I can't quite place it. The stronger the technique, the harder it is to cultivate, and it usually takes years of accumulation. For him to already reach this level at five… truly unbelievable."
Li Qingqiu smiled faintly, saying nothing more. He stepped forward, crouched in front of Zhao Zhen, and gently wiped the sweat from the boy's forehead. "You're still small. There's no need to push yourself so hard. Cultivation isn't something to rush, understand?"
Zhao Zhen looked up and nodded seriously.
Li Qingqiu lifted him easily with one arm and began walking down the mountain path. He waved his free hand toward Yang Jueding. "Elder Yang, don't forget your own training. I can tell—you're close to breaking through the second layer."
Yang Jueding froze for a moment, then grinned in delight. He never doubted Li Qingqiu's judgment. Reaching the second layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm had long been his goal, and the thought of it filled him with renewed energy.
'Forget the so-called mythical martial arts of the world,' he thought. 'The Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra of Qingxiao Sect is the strongest of them all!'
His spirit burning bright, Yang Jueding turned and strode off toward another path.
...
By midday, Chai Yunshang and Gu Dubao finally arrived at the foot of Qingxiao Mountain. After extensive reconstruction, a stone stele now stood proudly by the road, engraved with two large characters—Qingxiao.
Standing by the official road, they could see the winding mountain trail crowded with people ascending and descending. Nearby, carriages were parked in an orderly fashion, each watched over by attendants.
Gu Dubao, with a travel pack slung over his shoulder, sighed. "Qingxiao Sect really isn't what it used to be. I heard that ten years ago, it only had Lin Xunfeng alone. Calling it a sect back then was generous—it was just his home."
Chai Yunshang lifted her gaze toward the towering peaks. Qingxiao Mountain loomed amidst the Taikun Range, shrouded in mist. Compared to the mountains where the Seven Peaks Alliance resided, it looked far more majestic—so vast that standing before it made one feel utterly insignificant.
"It'd be nice to spend a lifetime here, just watching these grand mountains," Chai Yunshang murmured softly.
Gu Dubao shook his head. "People in the martial world never get to choose. Even those living in seclusion on the Taikun Mountain Range can't escape conflict—there's always some sect or clan looking for trouble."
"That's true," Chai Yunshang said with a faint smile. "Still, let's head up and take a look. Whether things work out or not, at least we'll have seen the splendor of Qingxiao Sect. That alone makes this trip worthwhile."
She started up the path, and Gu Dubao followed close behind.
The other travelers nearby gave them only a few curious glances before looking away. In recent months, Qingxiao Mountain had seen a steady stream of martial artists and visitors, so strangers were no rarity.
...
At that same moment, after finishing lunch, Li Qingqiu sat listening to Zhang Yuchun's report on the sect's affairs.
The number of disciples had grown rapidly—soon to surpass two hundred. Along with pilgrims, patients, and craftsmen on the mountain, friction was inevitable. The sect rules had to be further refined.
To Li Qingqiu, these were minor issues. The details of rule-making were left to Zhang Yuchun and Zhang Yu; his role was simply to approve or reject their proposals.
Such administrative matters still took time, and by the time they were done, nearly half an hour had passed.
Once that was settled, Zhang Yuchun shifted topics. "Senior Brother, I think Qingxiao Sect should start sending disciples down the mountain for training—like Sixth Junior Brother. They could act heroically, build our reputation, and spread the sect's name. But this time, we shouldn't make Sixth Junior Brother lead every group. Let the younger ones carry some responsibility."
Li Qingqiu nodded. "I agree. Just make sure every group has a good balance—someone with strength and someone with a calm head."
"I'll handle that personally," Zhang Yuchun promised. "The disciples are all eager to venture out and earn glory for Qingxiao Sect. With so many travelers coming up the mountain and telling tales of our feats, the youngsters are all fired up to make their own mark in the martial world."
He smiled with visible pride.
Thinking back a few years, Qingxiao Sect had been eerily quiet. Though he'd always dreamed of its revival, he never expected it to flourish so quickly.
And he knew full well—it wasn't because of him. Despite holding authority, the true key figure was their Senior Brother.
He would never forget that scene: Li Qingqiu standing atop Xiao Ba, slaughtering the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Sect. Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning had both become extraordinary precisely because they cultivated the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra passed down by him.
Though Senior Brother usually looked easygoing, he was the true backbone of Qingxiao Sect. He not only stabilized the sect but also helped refine its long-term structure, and many of his ideas had opened Zhang Yuchun's eyes completely.
Li Qingqiu picked up the brush and paper beside him, then calmly wrote down three names. "These three," he said, "you should pay special attention to. I've met them—they have decent potential."
Zhang Yuchun accepted the paper and glanced at the names. None were familiar to him. Chuckling, he said, "Senior Brother, I think Zhang Yu's face-reading skills are fake. No one can read people better than you."
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Just spend more time cultivating the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra. Once your strength deepens, you'll start to perceive the hidden talents in others yourself."
"Really?" Zhang Yuchun said, half-skeptical.
Li Qingqiu stood, ending the conversation there. It was time for his own cultivation as well.
While the growth of the sect mattered greatly, personal cultivation could never be neglected.
Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia were both about to reach the sixth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, and he had to prepare for his own breakthrough to the seventh layer to maintain his lead.
Leaving the study, he called out to Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen, who were playing in the courtyard. The two were the same age and had grown inseparable, always training and moving together. Whenever Zhao Zhen went to practice martial arts with Yang Jueding, Yuan Li would be right beside him, quietly watching.
With Zhao Zhen accompanying Yuan Li, Yuan Qi finally felt reassured enough to focus entirely on his own training.
...
Summer heat rolled across the mountains. Over these past months, Qingxiao Sect's number of disciples had surpassed two hundred, and three more had become true disciples—each successfully stepping into the first layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, officially entering the path of cultivation.
That very day, Xu Ning broke through to the sixth layer. Overjoyed, she went straight to Lingxiao Courtyard to share the news with Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu had just returned from the Underground Spiritual Lake, with Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen following behind him.
When he heard about Xu Ning's breakthrough, he feigned surprise. "That's incredible! Ning'er, you truly are one in a million."
Xu Ning smiled brightly, her eyes flicking subtly toward Zhao Zhen before she replied, "Master has treated me so well—I can't possibly let you down."
Just then, Yang Jueding rushed into the courtyard, his face brimming with excitement.
"Sect Master! Great news—truly great news!"
The elder's booming voice reached them before he did. He had just broken through to the second layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm the previous day, and his enthusiasm hadn't waned one bit.
Li Qingqiu and the others turned to face him. When he came near, Li Qingqiu asked calmly, "Elder Yang, what has you so worked up?"
Unaware of the subtle rebuke in the Sect Master's tone, Yang Jueding said eagerly, "A messenger from White Emperor Mansion has arrived! They're inviting the Seven Great Sects of Guzhou to a gathering—to discuss important matters!"
"The Seven Great Sects?" Li Qingqiu asked, his expression unmoved.
Yang Jueding nodded vigorously. "Yes! White Emperor Mansion has officially announced that Qingxiao Sect has replaced Qing Sect as one of the new Seven Great Sects. From now on, our standing in the martial world will completely change. We've made it!"
Li Qingqiu's reaction was calm. He had never cared much for such titles, though he knew this would benefit the sect.
In this world, much like ancient Huaxia, reputation was everything. Tales of heroism spread far and wide, though most grew distorted over time. Qingxiao Sect's past achievements wouldn't remain on everyone's lips forever—but the title of one of the Seven Great Sects would endure for generations.
Li Qingqiu quietly guessed that Jiang Kuatian had played a hand in this. Qingxiao Sect had little connection to White Emperor Mansion, and after the fall of Qing Sect, other sects should have been wary of them. White Emperor Mansion's move was clearly an act of goodwill.
"What major issue do they want to discuss?" he asked.
Even suspecting it to be a gesture of friendship, Li Qingqiu remained cautious. Trust was a luxury in the martial world. White Emperor Mansion was a powerful sect, and not every member would share Jiang Kuatian's goodwill. Hidden malice was always possible.
"The messenger said the Demonic Sect is about to resurface," Yang Jueding replied gravely. "They claim it will threaten the entire martial world."
Yang Jueding no longer feared the Demonic Sect as he once did. After all, even the Seven Fiends had been slain by Li Qingqiu. Even if the sect re-emerged, its power surely wouldn't be what it once was.
Li Qingqiu's gaze remained steady. "Do you think Qingxiao Sect should attend this gathering?"
The calmness in his tone gradually cooled Yang Jueding's excitement. After a moment of thought, he said seriously, "We should go. I doubt White Emperor Mansion would set a trap—they're too close to the imperial court now to risk their reputation with underhanded tricks. Still, there's no telling what might happen during the meeting. But if we attend, Qingxiao Sect will stand among the Seven Great Sects, and the benefits far outweigh the risks."
"Sect Master, let me go in your place," he added earnestly.
He knew Li Qingqiu's presence was crucial to maintain order within the sect. More than that, he feared the consequences if the Sect Master himself went.
The disciples all saw Li Qingqiu as gentle and composed—but Yang Jueding alone knew the truth. The Sect Master was the coldest, most ruthless man in Qingxiao Sect when provoked.
He still remembered that stormy night—the blood, the screams, the seven dead fiends of the Demonic Sect.
If the other six sects tried to scheme against him and provoked Li Qingqiu into a massacre, the entire White Emperor Mansion might end up destroyed… and then the court would surely turn its wrath upon Qingxiao Sect.
"I'll go too, Master," Xu Ning suddenly said.
Li Qingqiu turned his head toward her, already guessing her intent. The girl wanted to confront the Demonic Sect with her own eyes.
After a short pause, he nodded. "Very well. Take my Tianhong Sword with you."
The Tianhong Sword—his personal weapon—was as good as the Sect Master's seal of authority.
Xu Ning nodded calmly, though excitement flickered deep in her eyes. Yang Jueding, however, became even more animated.
A gathering of the Seven Great Sects would never be just a banquet. Among martial artists, there was no avoiding the clash of fists and blades.